The Cleveland Browns aren’t backing away from their high expectations even after a shaky start.
In an interview for NBC’s Football Night in America pregame show, quarterback Baker Mayfield told NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico that Browns players “expect” to lead the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
“That’s what the guys in this locker room expect,” Mayfield said, via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. “And I don’t think we can wrap our minds around what it would mean for this town until it actually happens. And so I think that benefit of being a little naive about it, it’s taking it one week at a time. Knowing where we want to go, what our expectations are and what we have to do get there. But then don’t look up until it’s there. And don’t look up ’til you’re done and to see what you’ve created and that culture that we would have at that point and the energy that the fans would have.”
The Browns are 1-1, but Mayfield has thrown four interceptions to two touchdowns, so it’s safe to say improvement is expected. The quarterback has been leaning into the hype all season long, for better or worse. He wants everyone to feel confident and he’s not changing his tune now.
